On August 28, 2016, Localife Calgary ventured to Bowness Park to enjoy a Sunday afternoon outdoors. It was not a particularly nice day, which meant we could rent as many paddle boats and canoes as we wanted and go out on the lagoon.

Localife Calgary held their annual Texas 4000 for Cancer meet up on Tuesday and spent a little time with the Rockies Route riders as they passed through town on their way to their final destination in Alaska.

Localife leaders

I’m a 29 year-old brain cancer survivor with a soft spot for the outdoors and good conversation. I grew up in Calgary, and it was a couple years after going to university to receive my education degree (at the age of 26) that a cancer diagnosis threw a wrench into — well, everything in my life (ha!).

Through attending YACC events, I’ve been super encouraged by how much it has helped to connect me with other survivors going through the chaos of cancer. My hope as one of Calgary’s Localife leaders is to creatively provide space and opportunities for others to receive this same gift!

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My name is Matthew Miller, and I am extremely excited to be one of the Localife leaders here in Calgary!

I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at the age of 22. As most of you can contest to, it has been — and may very well be — the most difficult experience of my entire life. However, through it I have gained a perspective that I’m blessed to have, and it has helped me gauge what’s important in life, and what I want out of my life.

I love most things outdoors, even though I don’t partake in such activities nearly as often as I want to. Music is a huge passion of mine, and I’ve been teaching piano lessons for several years now. I’m currently enrolled at the University of Calgary, and I hope to graduate sometime within the next millennium. Cancer kind of throws a wrench into what you’re up to, but I love learning, so I could be a student forever and I would not mind at all.

What I hope to bring to Localife is an environment of warmth, community, and fun. To create a space in which everyone is able to fully express themselves, regardless of the circumstances, and that we can all enjoy each other’s company. Good connection and great conversation give depth to our everyday lives, and to have connections with others who simply “get it” is priceless. I am incredibly excited to connect with all of you, and to have a great time doing awesome things!